hunting

The Problem with Canned Hunting

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Canned hunting is effectively trophy hunting. A canned hunt is a type of hunt that involves the hunter being essentially promised a kill by a hunting agency or governing body. The activity basically takes place on the grounds that the host of the hunt, whether a hunting agency or private party, captures an animal and releases it in a generally enclosed area to be hunted by the hunter. The enclosed area tends to be a small fenced in area so that the kill comes rather easily to the hunter.

Naturally, there have been all sorts of ethical issues involving canned hunting. Through the years, the controversy and criticism of canned hunting has reached a fever pitch. Rightly so, as the issue with canned hunting is one more directed towards animal cruelty than any other type of hunt. The animal is captured and “canned”, giving it no original chance for survival. This type of simplistic approach to hunting is often polarizing to many within the hunting community, some of which appreciate the delicate balance of nature in its own right.

The United States actually has a set line of legislation regarding canned hunting because of the criticism. In the Sportsman Hunting Act of 2005, the United States proclaimed that anyone who transports an exotic animal for the purposes of canned hunting shall be fined or put in prison for no longer than one year. While the penalties are not all that tough, the sentiment is still resounding. The United States government does not particularly qualify what constitutes an “exotic animal”, however, and this has led to some confusion among canned hunters.

The critique involving canned hunting is rather obvious. Animal rights groups claim that is it cruelty to animals and, while they protest all types of hunting, their position is somewhat more compelling when it is amplified by other hunting groups. Certain hunting groups claim that canned hunting takes away from the element of the “fair chase” or the “fair catch”. In other words, hunting groups typically claim that part of the adventure of the hunt is, of course, the hunt. Without the hunt, hunting is left to barbaric slaughter. These hunting groups claim that canned hunting simply strips away any of the elements of survival in terms of hunting and brings it down to its most animalistic classification.

Naturally, another opponent of canned hunting is the North American Humane Society. They claim that canned hunting represents cruel activity towards animals and exists to promote brutality towards animals. The hunted animal, according to the Humane Society, has literally no chance to escape and is essentially a victim of terrorism by the hunter and the hunting party. The animal is captive and is nearly tortured by the psychological implications of being in captivity and then being hunted while in such captivity.

There are several incidents in current events which reflect canned hunting. The United States Vice President Dick Cheney is said to be a fan of canned hunting, once apparently bagging around seventy ringneck pheasants on a hunt in which the pheasants were captured and then released in a specific area upon Cheney’s request. Of course, the most famous Dick Cheney canned hunting incident likely involved the shooting of Harry Whittington. It is not known if Cheney has any objections to canned hunting on a moral level, however, as the Vice President tends to be known for a certain level of ambiguity.

Canned hunting represents a great deal of controversy and criticism in America. It is not looked at favorably at all and, instead, is rather shamed even within the hunting community. As the community of hunters tends to progress and allow for nature to operate on its own constraints within their boundaries, canned hunting tends to represent all that is wrong with human interference on its most brutal and basic level. Canned hunting is not hunting at all; it is simply a deadly game of capture and kill that gives the animal no chance to run.

bow hunting

Bow Hunting for Deer

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Bow hunting is an extremely interesting and fun activity, especially if you have deer as game. The whitetail deer is the most commonly hunted, so it is best that you understand the behavior and locations of these animals if you want to be successful. There are several tips and tactics that you can use to hit your target accurately. Knowing the escape routes, proper position and a vantage point are all needed for ultimate enjoyment.

About the Deer

The white-tailed deer is also called the Virginia deer or the whitetail. It is a medium-sized deer that is native to the United States, Mexico, Canada, Central and South America. There are also some existing species in Peru, Finland and New Zealand. There are several natural predators of the animal, such as cougars, alligators and gray wolves. Male deer usually fight for the opportunity of breeding females.

The males will spar to become the dominant entity. Bucks usually copulate with as many females as they can. The rutting season is determine by factors, such as air density and temperature. Males are usually prone to dehydration, malnutrition and overheating. If there are several males in a given area, they will compete more for the females. The selection process will not be as competitive if there are more females than males.

Heat Results

Although weather can delay the time and place where deer move, it will not completely take out the need of deer to move a short distance from where they forage. Deer usually have to move during morning and evening to look for food. Deer do not prefer very warm weather. Once the summer coats are shed, they start getting ready for the cold months, even if the weather is still warm. The more deer move, the less comfortable their situation is. They will try to arrange the patterns so that they do not necessarily have to move more than what is needed. During hot weather, deer usually bed very near sources of food.

Deer usually stream into the fields each evening. The deer were bedding down anywhere between 25 and 75 yards inside the woods from the fields. The precise distance usually depended on how distant the thick cover was from the fields. Hunters usually grab the opportunity where deer bed when the mast is scarce and the weather is hot. The deer has to bed in a secure spot just far away from your stand so you can stay invisible when entering the area.

About Scent

Deer can easily sense your scent when you are sneaking into the area. You can wash your clothes in unscented detergent and soda, as well as bathe using unscented soap. You can also spray odor reducers or eliminators. Hot weather can increase your scent because of sweat, making you very noticeable. You may wear a backpack with fresh hunting clothes packed inside. Once you arrive at the stand, change into clean outerwear. Mesh clothing can help fight the heat, but their body scent usually gives them away. Cotton is also not very useful at wicking moisture out of your skin.

More on Hot Weather

Deer calls can be made by hunters to lure deer into the area, especially during warm weather. The doe bleat call is very effective in bringing in whitetail deer. Bucks are less likely to go near the sound during early season, but does are usually responsive and will try to investigate more.

The Way You Shoot

Some expert hunters advise that you should aim your arrow lower than the level where you intend to hit the deer. It is because whitetail deer usually crawl down before jumping up, thereby causing several hunters to shoot over the deer’s back. The deer will respond as soon as you release the arrow. You can also try practicing your release in a subtler and smoother way. This allows you to stay unnoticeable or give the deer no time to respond.

Sex Attractants

There are a number of doe-in-heat mixtures that you may apply. These come in very handy when the weather is extra hot. Putting out scent trails or canisters can warn bucks that a number of items are not right. Estrous doe scent is not readily available in the woods during very hot season or early fall, so deer can become suspicious.

bear hunting

Exploring the Dangers of Bear Hunting

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For some reason, people seem interested in the notion of tracking down a bear through the wilderness and killing it. While it may seem strange, there is a small cult of people that follow bear hunting considerably and make it an active part of their lives. These people tend to find generalized hunting a little too “tame” for their tastes and instead lurk after the lumbering bears of the forest. Often seen as an attempt to prove their manhood, bear hunting is a dangerous and largely unnecessary sport that typically challenges all notions of natural balance and order. Instead, most bear hunting aspects lead to dangerous outcomes or to the possibility of extinction.

Bear hunting, while seemingly unnecessary to the average person, is actually a legal and monitored part of the hunting regulations in North America. Alaska is one of the largest places for hunting bears. Several times a year, Alaska can be found swarming with hunters trying to bag the big one and those just curious to watch the bear hunts. The danger and general excitement of the hunt is enough to draw on the very basic components of human nature and create a buzz around bear hunting. Unfortunately for the bears and for some innocent bystanders, bear hunting creates a chaotic and unfortunate scene.

It is argued by hunters that the bear population is quickly recharging and regenerating itself, leading to the moral validity of bear hunting. In other words, there are enough bears in the world and, furthermore, without bear hunting the population of bears in certain areas would be overwrought. While this notion may be partially true, it is also important to consider that bear hunters typically are not properly educated in the matter. Some bear hunters are not hunting for purposes of thinning out a particular species to maintain some sense of animal control in the area. This leads to many bear hunters callously shooting at anything that moves and taking down anything that looks like a bear, paying no mind to the species or importance of the bear.

For this reason, bear hunting is best left to the professionals. There are many within the wildlife community that are given the task of taking down the bear population by statistically represented and supported numerical values. These wildlife officials know what bears to look for and have identified the bears that are older and weaker, leaving the decision of hunting bears down to an actual representation of the bear community in a particular area and to actual natural law.

In that respect, bear hunting appears to be the domain of the testosterone-driven hunters. The hunters looking for the best possible kill are typically adrenaline junkies that are looking for danger and excitement. As many examples over time have proven, bear hunting can provide that danger and excitement in more than ample amounts. This leads to fatalities or injuries that are often results of people getting too close to bears or people getting too involved in the bear’s natural habitat. In short, people simply do not know when to leave well enough alone.

With all of this rhetoric around bear hunting, one would think that the very notion of how dangerous the sport is would be enough of a repellent. However, every season more hunters are flocking to alleged hunting sites and every season more needless waste is being done to the beautiful natural backdrop that bears and other animals call home. The amount of human-led damage to the forests and natural setting of Alaska because of bear hunting is staggering.

Regardless of any moral convictions, it is important to maintain a factual focus when discussing hunting of any kind. Whether we live in an age in which hunting is a necessity at all anymore is certainly up for dispute. Many argue for the sport aspect of it, but a more logical approach might suggest that the arguments for the sporting aspect of bear hunting are better left behind.

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Wood Fever

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There comes a time when a hunter might get carried away once he’s in the midst of the hunt. Lacking any sense of self-control, the hunter might find himself in a situation that is more than he’s bargained for.

Any self and nature respecting hunter might lose his head in the thrill of excitement, but that’s no excuse and may cause accidents that could injure himself, as well as others.

In many stories about hunters and their exploits in the forest, a lot have admitted about the fever involved, and have provided some tips in order to combat this phase of frenzy.

Preparation is the key part for any hunter that requires bringing the bare essentials. Although it’s mostly equipment, the hunter must have the mental fortitude to not lose their heads in thinking about tagging their prize. There’s no shame in the thrill of the hunt, but to act irrationally while shooting a deer in a brutal manner is a violation that has been established in the noble sport of hunting.

Avoid the coffee, and if the hunter does feel tired, it’s best to take an entire day resting in a lodge in order to be prepared mentally as well as physically. A ready state of mind will invoke tactics that may have been in the books, but time-tested and proven to be successful. Who knows, a tactic revealed may be born in this day.

Alcohol and drugs is strictly prohibited as well as lighting up fires in wooded areas. In the past, smoking a deer out of its bedding area may have been an effective way, but not anymore considering the dangers of fires.

And if a hunter must act now, then he must do it. A split second decision may very well mean getting a clean kill from injuring the animal. Indecisiveness in the hunter’s part would only allow the animal to suffer more because he’s having second thoughts.

Considering the kinds of problems that people face on a daily basis, hunting is a sport and a state of mind that acts upon the basic instinct of people: the desire to kill something other than a human. Of course it may be inhumane to think that it’s all about fun and games for the immature, but to know and understand that these skills have been around since the dawn of time, hunting is to help you become aware of the way we think about things, and not just the pleasure.

deer hunting

Deer Hunting: Whitetail Deer

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Are you too worried about how to get whitetail deer into your trap like everyone else? If yes, then you have a reason to be relieved of your worries, because you are going to be equipped with some amazing tips, which will help you to be successful in hunting whitetail deer. It may be really irritating and frustrating; when you see the deer escape from you in a jiffy, whereas you cannot do anything about it. Is that not true? Another fact is that the escape of the deer in front of your eyes is the most sudden disappearing acts in the natural world till now.

Have you ever given a little thought as to how to tackle this problem or what is the factor that is causing the problem? If given a thought, then you will find that the answer is your odor or smell.

You will be surprised to know that the slightest odor of you can make the deer alert. The reason behind this is that the deer are actually gifted with the senses which help them to identify or recognize the human odor. They can not only identify the smell but also the noises of the slightest movements. So, while on the verge of hunting a deer, one should move forward without making an inch of noise. Else, you are bound to play hide and seek with the deer, thus making it very difficult to capture it.

If you are hunting with any kind of weapon, then smell reduction is always wanted and quite longing. But, if you are hunting with any kind of hand gun or bow, then smell reduction is of supreme importance. Also, you would like to go closer and closer to the deer, when you are equipped with such weapons. But then, it is important to keep yourself from smell. Now the question is how is it possible? What you can do is that you can buy some very good smell reduction products available in market and apply those on your body before going to fight the battle. But, if proper planning is done systematically with the product, you can get the better of the dilemma. Also, you should be self confident about yourself as it is very important.

Wind factor is another essential factor in combating the problem. The region where you are expecting the deer should be upwind from your location. The best way is to make the animal get placed in such a way that it is upwind or crosswind from our location. Try having many stand locations, so that wind direction would not be a matter of concern. You will always be in a downwind position to attack the deer. Also, be calm, patient and wait for the most favorable wind to come across your way. Then, only take the plunge.

Thus, if you plan in a constructive way, there is no reason why you could not struck a boat out of the blue.

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Hunting Dogs

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Hunting dogs are certainly the best possible ally of the hunter, as they sniff and scavenge for prey in the deepest and darkest brush of the forest. There are many different possibilities for a hunting dog type that you can take on your next trip. The type of dog you should take on your hunting trip should be directly related to the type of hunting you are planning on. If you are planning on hunting fur-bearing animals, for example, you would be more satisfied with a hound than you would be with a terrier. Regardless of what dog you choose to take with you on your next hunting trip, you can be sure that you will have made a new friend by the end of the journey.

The most common main category of hunting dogs is the hound. Hounds are actually divided into two categories from there: the sighthound and the scent hound. As their names imply, each sub-category of dog type refers to a certain skill that the dog tends to be more proficient in. Sighthounds, like the Whippet, are adapted to hunting because of their visual acumen. They practice a method that is known as coursing, referring to the notion of spotting the prey from a long distance and following it in a quick pursuit. Scent hounds, like the Coonhound, work by scent rather than sight. They tend to pick up on a trace of the prey from the ground and follow that scent, hopefully to the prey. Scent hounds often work in packs and are regarded as having some of the most sensitive noses of all other dog types.

The next classification of dogs used for hunting is the gun dog. These dogs are used mostly by short range hunters using shotguns. There are three sub-categories of gun dogs: flushing spaniels, pointing breeds and retrievers. Again, their names are reflective of the particular skill that the dog has to offer the hunter. The retrievers, once known as water spaniels, are great for finding and getting shot or killed game for the hunter. If the hunter kills a duck, the retriever heads over to pick it up and brings it back to the hunter. The pointing breed, such as an English setter, tend to “point out” the prey by pointing at upland birds or other upland animals being hunted. The pointing breed of dogs sometimes also help flush the prey out from their hiding spot. The flushing spaniels, such as the English Cocker spaniel, are used to locate and spring the prey for the hunter. They are trained to remain close to the hunter, ensuring an easy kill.

Still another popular type of hunting dog is the terrier. Terriers are used to hunt mammals, for the most part. These animals, such as the Lakeland terrier, are used to locate the actual den of the animal and spring or capture the animal. Some terriers are bred to kill the animal at the animal’s den. A large number of terriers are used to hunt what are known as “pest species”. The pest species refer to groundhogs, hunted by the Jack Russel terriers, or the badger or fox, hunted by the Fell terrier. The legality of some of these hunts is in question, so you may want to check your local regulations before you set upon and hunt a fox.

There are many particulars that make using hunting dogs a popular option for hunting. Whether you choose a sighthound or a scent hound, you can be assured that your companion hound will be working for you at finding your prey. Using a gun dog can not only provide great companionship, but it can bring prey right to your doorstep and literally take the hunt out of hunting. Terriers not only make a vigorous hunting companion, but they also make for a nice domesticated animal. Make sure that you consider the hunting dog type before you go out on the hunt so that you can bring the best possible breed with you and land the best possible kill for this hunting season.

deer hunting

Now What?

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Even with today’s modern technology when it comes to designing the most effective broadhead arrows, bows and shafts available, there’s nothing that would compare the prey’s frenzied animal panic after feeling the arrow piercing through it. Of course any bow hunter would think they made a mistake at some point so they have to go after the buck, but there are some misconceptions and rules before approaching the ‘dead’ animal.

Haste makes waste as they say. In bow hunting, a hasty aim and release of the arrow may not always work, as the result the arrow’s flight may land somewhere far from the intended area of fatality. One point to consider is that animals have the drive to go insane at one point once it’s in mortal danger and may run away. If it does, it would be a perfect opportunity to reflect and see what might go wrong. Usually, once the deer or any other animal have been mortally wounded, it will bed somewhere within a 250 yard radius so it’s better not to go after it once it’s on the run. Just wait it out for a few hours.

Humans aren’t perfect, more so with a weapon at hand when it comes to hunting. There’s nothing wrong with the notion of thinking back on what might have gone wrong. Unless the hunter has managed to hit the buck through the lungs or the heart, at least it would be a short trip to where it’s bedding. Patience is the key when making sure the animal has expired.

Though there are a few things to worry about when it comes to misplaced shots, the only thing that may arise are the presence of coyotes that might take over before the bow hunter reaches it. Instead it may be a perfect opportunity to know where the animal might be if you follow the coyotes, then scare them away once found.

The real challenge when it comes to bow hunting is the fact that patience is the key, aside from whatever equipment a bow hunter has in his possession. There are a few things that may happen, like shooting while the animal is on the run, but mistakes like these is all art of the learning process. It doesn’t make for a bad bow hunter to reflect on his shortcomings from being hasty, but at least a lesson can be learned every time he takes aim and allow the arrow to pierce through the animal with a clean kill.

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Bow Hunting Tools

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1. Bow – There are three basic types of bows: the long bow which is the most traditional, the recurve, and the compound bow. The longbow and the recurve bow are very similar in design and function and have the fewest moving parts. The word “recurve” means to curve backward or downward, the recurve bow is a variation of the longbow with limbs that curve backwards. Most complex is the compound bow which uses a system of cams or pulleys, cables, and the bowstring to shoot the arrow. The bow may include either a single or double-cam design. The purpose of the cams is to increase the effective draw weight of the bow while allowing the archer to hold less draw when at the full draw length. A crossbow is a mechanical bow attached to a stock that fires an arrow. Widely used in bow hunting by the people of Ohio, this may have straight limbs or have a compound design with limbs mounted horizontally on a stock. Crossbows use shorter arrows that are fixed with a release mechanism or trigger. The release mechanism includes a safety that blocks the pulling of the trigger.

2. Broadhead – The broadhead is the sharp point of the arrow. There are two basic types: the one is fixed-edge that you must sharpen yourself, the other is with removable blades that are already sharpened. Broadheads come in many different sizes, designs and weights. They must be kept razor sharp for proper performance. For safety, always use a broadhead wrench to attach the broadhead to the shaft.

3. Arrow – An arrow is a slender shaft or projectile, shot from a bow or crossbow. They have four main parts: the neck, fletching, shaft and arrowhead. The neck is located at the back of the arrow and is attached to the bowstring. The arrow shaft is the main body of the arrow; it may be made of wood, aluminum, carbon, or other materials. Fletchings are located on the shaft and allows stability for the arrow; it can be made of vinyl, rubber, or feathers. Fletchings are designed to stabilize the arrow in flight to make it more accurate. In crossbow, arrows have three main parts: fletching, shaft, and arrowhead. Arrowheads must be securely attached to the arrow. There are two common types of arrowheads: Field points are small arrow tips used for target shooting and broadheads.

4. Quiver – A quiver is a device that holds arrows that will protect you while bow hunting from the arrows’ sharp points. Quivers come in different styles, including some that are mounted on the bow, worn on a belt, or fit over the shoulder. It is important to always use a quiver whether you are using field points or broadheads.

elk hunting

Elk Hunting: Using GPS

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Perhaps you must have heard that a GPS – Global Positioning System – unit can assist you in the pursuit of deer and elk hunting. This technology has been made available by the U.S. Department of Defense for military pursuits; the technology is extremely affordable also.

Their method of working is very simple and remarkably complicated. The unit relieves a signal off the many satellites ranging the earth and –bingo- area is found.

The method with which they report the information keeps on changing but most commonly they recognize latitude and longitude.

A GPS division can easily become an important part of your hunting gear. It can help you in estimating the walking distance, search your way to hunting grounds with total accuracy, assess the time it will take for you to arrive at a destination, take account of fresh deer or elk.

In this way you can come back to them again. Most of the hunters who make use of GPS divisions to map the area where they hunt for elk or dear.

When you go out for hunting you can keep the important items in landscape such as pieces of rock, bends in trials, creeks etc. You can these articles to make map on paper or computer.

You can spot the places on your map where you have seen marks of elk or deer. You can compare these sights with the surrounding area, you can easily get an idea of place where you can find dear or elk.

GPS units can provide you real help during you hunting activity. You can also make use of your GPS to help you in explaining where you are if you get lost. If you have spotted a waypoint on your GPS and design it as a truck or camp then you GPS may lead you back to home.

You can do the same function in case you have killed a deer or elk and unable to drag it yourself. You can mark the location as a waypoint, go back to meet some friends, and you can easily find a way back to your prey.

GPS can also be used for searching a way. If you shoot a deer or elk at any place then you can easily find a place where you have to take the prey.

It is not a necessity to use GPS but it is a great device to help you in elk hunting second time. You should always keep a pack of fresh alkaline batteries, as you never know when your GPS will run out of fuel. In this way GPS device can guide you in great way for hunting dear or elk.

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How to Use a Tree Stand while Hunting

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Most deer hunters are now hunting from tree stands. If you are new to deer hunting, or if you have been hunting for a while but have yet to use this method, you should consider using a tree stand. The benefits of using a tree stand are that you will stay out of the deer’s range of view, you will keep your scent hidden from the deer, and you will increase the range of your view. You do need to take certain precautions, however, to make sure that you protect yourself.  
 
There are many types of stands and most are safe to use. Some of these include ladder-type stands, climbing stands, and lock-on stands. You can also nail boards to a tree. No matter what type of stand you are using, know that accidents can happen. If a stand seems unsafe to you, do not use it. If you are thinking about using a new tree stand and you are far from your home or from people in general, wait. You would be unable to notify anyone in the event that you were injured. Do not take using a tree stand lightly.
 
You will benefit by becoming familiar with some of the ways by which hunters injure themselves on or around tree stands. Accidents happen when hunters fall asleep. It happens more often that you would imagine. Hunters also get injured when they slip while climbing in or out of a tree stand. You cannot avoid things like excess moisture on your boot, or an exceptionally damp step. The third way by which hunters suffer injury using tree stands is having a piece of equipment break. Nothing is 100% dependable. The best way to avoid severe injury from these unfortunate events is to wear a safety harness.
 
Many hunters know the risk of not using a safety harness, but they still use tree stands without one. Your safety harness will only help you if you wear it. It is not good enough to put on the harness after you have settled into your stand. Climbing into or out of your stand is when you are most likely to be hurt, so you need to be wearing it before you begin ascending your tree stand. It only takes a minute to secure and is well worth the hassle. The damage done by a fall with a safety harness is minimal compared to one without. The safety harness will mean the difference between a few bruises and a premature death.
 
There are a few additional steps you need to consider while preparing to use a tree stand for the first time. Tree steps and tie-on ladders are two favorite methods used by hunters. Some also use large nails as steps. If you are looking to cut costs, go with the nails. They are cheaper than the ladders. Test the nail to make sure that it is strong, steady, and secure. Use nails that will fully support your weight. When nails bend, hunters slip and injure themselves. Use a drill to make pilot holes for the nails. Some hunters prefer to use climbing stands instead of nails, but they are more expensive and limit you to certain trees.
 
Consider using a tree stand as you hunt. It is an effective way to catch your prey off-guard. Both your body and your scent are above the deer’s vicinity. It also allows for a broader view as you study the landscape. Tree stands do cause accidents, though. Take all of the necessary steps to prevent any major injuries. Use a safety harness to shorten the distance of your fall. Make sure that the nails you use to climb the tree are secure. Following these steps for using a tree stand ensures a safe and pleasurable hunting experience.  

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